Saturday, May 24, 2025

EUROPEAN TREE OF THE YEAR, 2025, PART 1


The Award Ceremony for the 2025 European Tree of the Year took place on March 19th, 2025 at the European Parliament in Brussels.

According to Member European Parliament (MEP) Michal Wiezik
“Magnificent trees with stories are the best agents for building bridges between human society and nature seeking the mutual cooperation critical for survival of both.”
By MEP Luděk Niedermayer;
"At times when Europe faces geopolitical challenges and security concerns, nature conservation is often seen as less urgent. However, it is precisely in such moments that we must not forget what unites us and what we must protect—our natural environment. The European Tree of the Year competition reminds us that environmental protection is not a marginal issue but a fundamental question for our future. From local initiatives, such as caring for historic trees and urban greenery, to key political decisions at the European level, we demonstrate that nature is not sidelined in our priorities. Each of these trees tells a story of the deep connection between people and the landscape—something we must never take for granted."
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The European Tree of the Year contest originated in 2011. It was inspired by the popular Tree of the Year contest which has been organised in the Czech Republic by the Czech Environmental Partnership Foundation for many years.

The purpose of the European Tree of the Year is to highlight the significance of old trees in the natural and cultural heritage that deserve care and protection. Unlike other contests, the European Tree of the Year doesn't focus on beauty, size or age but rather on the tree's story and its connection to people, trees that have become a part of the wider community.

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Following are the 15 nominees, counting down to the winner, that being determined by votes received . . .

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15



The Old Chestnut of Sint-Rafaël

Species: Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa)

Age: 150-200 years

Region: Sint-Job-in-'t-Goor, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium

Votes: 6,373

The Tree’s Story (stories provided by nominators):

A Living Witness to History and Care

The chestnut tree at Campus Sint-Rafaël, estimated to be 150-200 years old, stands at the heart of the grounds of the Orthopedagogical Center Clara Fey. It has witnessed the rich history of Sint-Job-in-'t-Goor, where Mathilde De Caters founded a convent and girls' school in 1868. Later, Baron Pierre de Caters, a pioneer pilot, established an airport in the village. Today, the tree remains a symbol of the care and history that have shaped the village throughout the years.

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14



Plane Tree in the Archbishop's Garden

Species: London plane tree (Platanus acerifolia)

Age: unknown years

Region: Eger city, Heves region, Hungary

Votes: 7,115

The protected plane tree of Eger

The tree's appearance and size make it a prestigious, central feature of the garden. According to unwritten Eger tradition, before the Battle of the Kápolna in 1849, a council of war was held in Eger with Henrik Dembinszky, Artur Görgey, György Klapka and Lajos Kossuth, who rested under the shady foliage. The tree was declared protected in 1978, and in 1994 the entire Érsekkert was declared a local protected area. It is a popular tree, visited by many people.
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13



The Peaceful Oak of Saint-Maurice

Species: Common Oak (Quercus robur L.)

Age: 200-250 years

Region: Clohars-Carnoët, Finistère, Brittany, France

Votes: 7,303

The otter's friend

Standing by river Laïta in Brittany for over two centuries, this oak is a striking element of a wild, peaceful landscape at the entrance of the Abbey of Saint-Maurice, in the coastal city of Clohars-Carnoët. Popular among local people and beloved by visitors, it invites introspection. A treasure for local wildlife, it hosts epiphytic plants and attracts various animals. A bench aside has even been sculpted in the shape of an otter, as the cute animal is known to be a regular companion of the tree!
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12



Ginkgo Biloba

Species: Ginkgo (Ginkgo Biloba)

Age: 240 years

Region: Leiden, Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands

Votes: 9,834

Gingko Biloba in the Hortus of Leiden: A living fossil in the Modern Age

In the Hortus Botanicus of Leiden stands the golden pearl of the Netherlands: the Ginkgo Biloba. This Japanese Walnut tree, planted in 1785, is the second oldest specimen in Europe. The species itself is the oldest on our planet, having seen the dinosaurs walking, and survived through worship near Chinese monasteries because of its symbolic value of love and hope. The 22-metre-tall tree is a hermaphroditic, recognizable by its witches broom and beautiful autumn colours, making it a jewel to visit.
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11



Tasso di Matari – Urzulei

Species: English yew (Taxus baccata L.)

Age: morethan years

Region: Supramonte di Urzulei, Province of Nuoro, Sardinia ,Italy

Votes: 11,845

One of the longest-lived yews in Sardinia

In a beautiful ilex forest in the middle of the limestone massif of Supramonte, a majestic yew tree grows, which has been watching over the remains of an extensive Nuragic village for hundreds of years. We are in the territory of the municipality of Urzulei, specifically in the locality of Matari. The Matari yew is one of the most impressive specimens of its species. It retains engravings on its trunk and branches, showing all the signs of the passage of time and the history it has witnessed.
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10



The Oak of Varniškės

Species: Common Oak (Quercus robur L.)

Age: 200+ years

Region: Varniškės village, Vilnius district municipality, Lithuania

Votes: 11,909

A guardian of the past and a guide for the future – a living legend of Lithuania

The Oak of Varniškės is a symbol of strength, love, and Lithuanian tradition. Once, a Lithuanian family discovered this magnificent tree, left the city, and built a home and herb farm near it. The oak became the heart of their lives and the eldest member of the family. Under its branches, they celebrated traditions and remembered ancestors. This oak is not just a tree; it inspires, heals, and unites. It is a guardian of the past and a guide for the future – a living legend of Lithuania. Symbolically, this hero thrives only 1,5 km away from the geographical center of Europe!
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9



Tree of Freedom in Rab

Species: Holm Oak (Quercus Ilex)

Age: 105 years

Region: Rab, Croatia

Votes: 12,807

Tree of Freedom in Rab

The Tree of Freedom in Rab is a holm oak (quercus ilex), which is a characteristic species for the island of Rab. Generations of Rab residents have grown up with this tree, and it occupies a central place in their personal and collective memories. Many families have preserved oral traditions about an ancestor who participated in the planting. Four years ago, a grand celebration marked the centennial anniversary of the planting of the holm oak, which filled and protected the entire square with its crown.
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Part 2 tomorrow.



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